The experienced wicketkeeper-batsman MS Dhoni is unlikely to feature in the upcoming home T20I series against South Africa. Sanju Samson may returns to the national squad as the reserve wicketkeeper for this forthcoming series.
The 38-year-old MS Dhoni is just two matches short from the 100 T20Is. If he participates in the upcoming home T20I series against South Africa, Dhoni will be the second cricketer to play 100 T20I matches. Till the date, only Pakistan all-rounder Shoaib Malik has managed to play 100+ T20Is (111 T20Is).
However, according to the latest PTI report, MS Dhoni is likely to miss the upcoming home T20I series against South Africa. Since the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2019, Dhoni hasn’t played an international match yet.
In their forthcoming India tour, South Africa will begin with the three-match T20I series from 15th September 2019. Later, they will play the three-match Test series against the hosts from 2nd October to 23rd October 2019.
South Africa will again come to India in March 2020 to play the three-match bilateral ODI series against the hosts.
Rishabh Pant is likely to continue the lead wicketkeeping role
The 21-year-old Rishabh Pant is likely to continue the wicketkeeping role for the Indian T20I squad for the upcoming home series. In the entire ongoing Caribbean tour, Pant has handled the wicketkeeping role. Though he is struggling to perform consistently, Pant is unlikely to miss out the T20I series against South Africa. Especially, if the experienced MS Dhoni misses out the upcoming T20I series, Pant will be a crucial factor.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) also wants to give maximum opportunities to Pant before the next T20 World Cup. Australia will host the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2020 from 18th October to 15th November 2020.
Sanju Samson is also another choice
Also, the BCCI selectors want to keep ready at least three wicketkeepers before the next T20 World Cup. The 21-year-old uncapped Ishan Kishan is one of the front-runners in this wicketkeeping fight.
However, some media reports are suggesting that the Kerala wicketkeeper-batsman Sanju Samson can earn the national team call-up for the upcoming home T20I series against South Africa. The 24-year-old has played only T20I in the international career. It was the match against the hosts Zimbabwe at Harare on 19th July 2015 where he scored 19 runs.
According to the media reports, Sanju Samson is likely to enter in the national squad as the second choice wicketkeeper. Meanwhile, Jharkhand youngster Ishan Kishan may be considered as the third choice wicketkeeper.